Day 1 - Monday began what turned out to be the first of 4 very long days, but despite biking 90+ miles each day, we had fun things along the way. For instance, we saw this sign on the road while biking Monday, and assumed there would be, as said, a bit of gravel. We found it was a bit more than a bit, and it stretched on for a while.
The day was also fun because we had the chance to go into Illinois, crossing over the Mississippi river in the process. It was beautiful, and as usual, fun to cross into yet another state!
As we stood to get our photos taken at the Illinois sign we had a lot of people honk and support us, as well as a few people who shouted out that Iowa sucked and Illinois was better. Always entertaining on Sea to Sea.
That evening we stayed at Unity Christian School in Fulton, IL where we were treated to an amazing dinner of Boneless, skinless chicken breast, pork chops and vegetarian spaghetti, with salad, homemade pie and ice-cream. Unfortunately the spaghetti might have been neglected. We had eaten it twice already in the last 2 days. But the food was great and we also had a local band called Tone Deaf play some "spiritual songs" for us. Don't worry, they were better than their name would suggest :)
Day 2 - Tuesday was the first of the two rainy rides in this week. We started off in the rain and it was as persistent as the corn fields as the day went on. We were cold, wet, and feeling pretty exhausted because the wind was not only cold, but strong and against us. It may not sound tough, but it was mentally and physically exhausting. Luckily there were small moments of reprieve where the rain would let up just enough to feel that there was hope :) We also got to see an intersection completely surrounded by corn. It looked pretty cool so I stopped to take a photo, but as soon as I did it started to rain again. I took it as a sign to stop doddling and get my butt into camp.
One challenge on Sea to Sea is washrooms. We have 1 porta-potty at the first SAG stop and then after that, you are on your own to find a place to go so sometimes we have to make due. On this particular rainy day Sara and Laura found the best option around - 4 rows deep in the cornfield.
The third SAG stop was a pleasant surprise. At a Shell station we were treated to free Coffee and Hot Chocolate by the owners of the Shell Station, so all of us cyclists took advantage and used to opportunity to warm up from the cold wind and rain.
After this SAG stop we took a wrong turn and realized we were in the wrong place, so we just used Laura's GPS and found an alternate highway to take so we didn't have to backtrack to our route. It meant skipping the last SAG stop, but we made due and ended up cutting a few km's off of the total route distance for the day!
That evening we had rain again and woke up to soggy tents, but at least it wasn't raining during the day!
Day 3 - This day our group started out together, but when we were getting passed by a group going faster, Laura, Zach, and I hopped on the back of their pace line. They were going about 10km/h faster and since we were at the back of the line, we didn't have to work quite as hard to keep up :)
We came to our first SAG stop in a town called Sandwich, at the local fire department. Because Jamiel and Riel like firetrucks so much I took some photos for them to OOooo and Ahhh over.
Because we were traveling at an average of 30 km/h and not stopping for coffee or spending much time at the SAGs, we got into camp early. Oh yeah, and also because Mike pulled the entire way so we just drafted into camp :) (That guy is a machine!) But getting into camp by 2 on a 90 mile day was great. In the time we normally spent on the road I was able to set up my tent to dry it out, set up my sleeping quarters in the gym, shower, and go to McDonalds to work on uploading pictures. All of the things you can accomplish in such a short time! Don't get me wrong, I love going with Zach's angel's and enjoying the day, but it is nice to get into camp quickly sometimes and have the luxury of time to yourself before dinner :) It was such a shock for people to see us in that early that Barb came to check my temperature to see if I was doing okay :P
Tuesday night we were staying at Illiana Christian School, the former Education site of one of our cyclists. They welcomed us with open arms and let us sleep in their gym which was beautiful, clean, and air conditioned :) Everyone came in that night, so needless to say it was good that I got a spot before most people arrived.
After another spaghetti dinner we were treated to Ice cream sundaes! They were so delicious and most people took advantage of the over-abundance of ice-cream and had 2-4 bowls of it! It did taste really good, and plus it was free!
While some people were working on their 4th bowl of ice-cream and the accompanying stomach ache that would later ensue, others went to the tent set up outside by a local bike shop called Good Speed Cycles. They were generous with not only their time and skills, but also their resources. They had been in contact with a cyclist on our tour who had been takin gorders of items people needed but had not yet been able to get, so they brought them all over! They also did free tune ups and trued my wheels for me! Plus, they were giving away free bike tubes which was a blessing. Especially for the people who had experienced something like 3 flats in a day, or 9 in a week sort of thing :)
And to keep things interesting, we have Barb, and on this day Barb had this turtle suit. Don't ask me why or how, but she did and it made my day that much better. If biking doesn't work out for her, I think she has a future in the Professional Sports Team Mascot field of work.
Day 4 of 90+ miles was a bit of a slower one for most people and was challenging. The route was fine, the terrain was fine, and the weather was good, but after traveling so quickly the day before, slowing down to 20 km/h was mentally tough. Understandable, the middle of the week and 2 long rides are tough on the body and so a slow day was probably best for us all, regardless of whether we wanted it or not. But, even on the tough days we can find ways to have fun. We stopped at a little store that was in an old school house. It was adorable and filled to overflowing with cute doo-dads and trinkets. Some people in our group wanted to stop for coffee and a break so we head in, found a few other cyclists in there, and looked around.
My Favourite part of the store was inside the washroom where I found this sign. It just seemed so clever and fun that I had to take a picture of it. Perhaps a few of you will enjoy it also.
Another great thing about having a slower day would be the view. This day began our lake-side riding along the Lake Michigan, which was a sight for sore eyes after 4 straight states of corn and soy-beans. It was so refreshing and relaxing to see a body of water not in the middle of a crop or smelling of manure.
AND, we got to go through 3 state this day! We started out in Illinois, rode through Indiana, and ended up in Michigan!
Unfortunately we didnt' get into camp until after 6pm, but that was mostly because we decided to stop at a rehydration station and take a break around 5pm. It was there that we met a man named Al who worked in Health Insurance. We had a great long talk about the ride, the cause, and about him and he said he would donate online - time well spent :)
That evening we were staying at a Church in the poorer section of town in Benton Harbour. WIth the option to sleep in or outside, I obviously chose inside :) The church was beautiful and filled with snooks and crannies, old passage-ways and beautiful stain glass. I'm sad that I didn't get any pictures of it but my phone was dead and so was I. We had a great dinner there and after peloton were served ice-cream yet again. In case any of you are wondering why I might come back from this trip heavier than when I left, I blame the ice-cream.
The evening was spent relaxing, talking, and watching a movie and sleep was very welcomed. I must have been tired because when I woke up the next day people were talking about a very loud alarm that went off right by my sleeping spot, trains passing by and loud-talkers on the street that kept them up that night, and I didn't hear a thing :)
Friday began the second of the two storms we encountered in these 4 days. What began as a small drizzle quickly turned into a full-out storm which drenched everything and forced probably 30 people to hide out in the small confinements of the gear trailer. Some were eating breakfast, others were interrupted while making lunch, and some were just hoping the rain would break so they could hop on their bikes and go without getting soaked. Well, the storm didn't break. The peanut-butter jar was developing a puddle in it so some brave souls ran out and moved the break-fast and lunch items into the Kitchen Semi. We thank them for their courageous service to this tour and for all of the lunches they saved with their efforts.
Once the rain stopped pounding down and was just a light downpour we evacuated our hiding places in the gear truck and went about the morning. Many of us had yet to make our lunches or eat breakfast, so we crammed into the small confinements of the kitchen Semi and tried our best to work around each other.
Unfortunately the rain didn't let up for over an hour and we all braved the storm and biked through it. Now, don't be fooled. This was not a "light drizzle, rain-is-pretty-and-fun-to-bike-in" sort of storm. This was a "flash-flood, soak-through-your-rain-jacket-instantaneously, create-puddles-in-your-shoes, miserable-to-bike-in" sort of storm. The wind wasn't that cold, but drafting was not a possibility because it resulted in a face-full of water and sand from the tire in front of you running through the river that was once called a street. You think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. Don't get me wrong. I love the rain. I think it is beautiful and wonderful, but when every inch of your body is soaked, you have sand EVERYWHERE, and your shoes squish with every pedal stroke, you kind of just wish you could be dry.
While enjoying this large storm we biked quickly to our first SAG stop at a church about 25 miles from camp. There we were served blueberries, home-made cookies, chocolate bars (a rare treat), donuts, coffee and juice. It not only gave us reprieve from the storm, but they had a hand-drier which some of us used to warm up and dry out the insides of our coats.
Our next stop was at another church just outside of Holland, MI and was said to be the oldest CRC church?? This was a rumour I heard... perhaps someone can clarify or verify this statement. Here we were again fed Ice-cream. I mean... how can you say no?
Holland, MI gave us a great welcome as we rode into Hope College where we would be staying for the evening in their dorm rooms (Such a treat!). Zach's Angel's worked to get in early and so we had the afternoon to sit and enjoy ourselves. In Benton Harbour we were given tickets to a local Pub called the Holland Brewery which is famous for it's brews and chews, so many of us made our way there for an afternoon snack and Brew :)
We heard that they had amazing pizza, so naturally I chose a BBQ chicken pizza for my pre-supper meal
Afterwards we walked around to shops, went into some boutiques and basically enjoyed the town. We also stopped in this store to sample some of their delicious food.
Our "family" had a good time in Holland and made friends with some musicians. We tried to share our pizza with them, but they just wouldn't bite!
After a great meal from Hope College this morning we set out on our shortest trip yet! 65 km (38 miles) into Grand Rapids. Our bike Mechanic Harold is a pastor at a church just outside of Grand Rapids and so he had a whole pile of supporters along the way! It was great to see, but we also got chocolate milk, cookies, muffins, and a bunch of other great items out of the deal, so we were happy that they were there! Plus, it was really encouraging to have so much support along the route from members int he community. It makes me feel like the tour is recognized, supported, and encouraged in the communities we pass through which isn't always the reception we get, so Michigan has been good to us and good for us :)
At one of the food stops we met a little girl named Otti (I think I butchered the spelling) who was riding her bike around. I asked if she was going to ride with us and she was very certain she was, so Matt suggested she take the lead and we would all draft behind her. She liked this idea a lot and was more than willing to pose for a picture of it taking place :)
The ride into Grand Rapids was fun, relaxing, and wonderfully short. Malori got a great gift from her Boyfriend which allowed her to play music quite loudly from her bike, so there was a lot of fun whenever they rode close to us. Especially at red lights!
About 3 miles from Calvin College - our weekend stay - we had a stop at a church where we were fed lunch. Unfortunately the number of us was confused and so they ran out of food! however, they ordered some pizzas to feed the rest of the hungry and no one complained about that!
In large cities where we are strongly supported the organizers have us ride into our destination together wearing our Sea to Sea gear. Seeing 150 cyclists go down the road spaced out is impressive, but seeing them all at once in a huge group is something else and really draws attention. Especially when we hold up traffic for a few lights worth. So we waited at the church until about 12:30pm and then head out as a massive group!
The line of cyclists went on for what seemed like forever.
And although we might have held up traffic and upset a few people, we got great reception from those lining the streets, cars passing by or waiting for us to pass by, and those who were waiting at Calvin College.
After a shower, free laundry, a chai tea, and a relaxing afternoon spending some time in my dorm room which I have to myself :O (what a blessing to have my own space!) we were served a delicious meal by the college. They really rolled out the red carpet for us! Tomorrow will be filled with a celebration rally and maybe a Skype conversation or two to friends and family! overall, a weekend to celebrate :)
6 weeks are done and only 3 left to go! The tour is going so quickly and I'm sad that it is coming to and end, but looking forward to accomplishing what I set out to do. Thank you to all of you who read the blog, support the cause, and provide finances, encouragement and prayer to us on the road! Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers :)
Until next time!
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